Parents and students will be excited to hear that a Read Aloud America program is set to begin at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School next month.

Read Aloud America (RAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literacy and helping families bond through the fun of reading aloud and listening to stories.

During the past 17 years, RAA has served over 338,000 adults and children at 90 public schools in Hawaii.

The program’s co-directors, Larry and Joanne Laird, are members of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the couple will speak at the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset’s evening meeting at the Royal Lahaina Resort’s Royal Ocean Terrace Restaurant at 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

The Lairds will explain details of RAA programs and how Rotary and community members can volunteer.

According to Jed Gaines, founder and president of Read Aloud America, “Schools have been trying to engage parents for generations. The Read Aloud America program does that.

“It has become the largest and most effective family literacy program in America.”

RAA’s Read Aloud Program (RAP) takes the stress out of reading, helps parents and children share good books and builds a lifelong love of reading.

RAP families take time out from their busy schedules six times a semester to meet in the school cafeteria.

After a short introduction by the presenter, the students gather in age-level groups to listen to volunteers read stories. Parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers stay in the cafeteria with the presenter and relax as they listen to stories, reading tips and chapter books. The program provides free snacks, drinks and dinner, and the evening ends with door prizes and a party atmosphere.?

This program is designed for families with children from toddlers to teens. The sessions are relaxed and enjoyable. During RAP sessions, there are no tests, quizzes or reports – reading is simply fun.

Volunteer and help support family literacy in West Maui.